subunit

unit

any group or individual, esp when regarded as a basic element of a larger whole

3.

a mechanical part or integrated assembly of parts that performs a subsidiary function: a filter unit

4.

a complete system, apparatus, or establishment that performs a specific function: a production unit

5.

a subdivision of a larger military formation

6.

Also called unit of measurement. A standard amount of a physical quantity, such as length, mass, energy, etc, specified multiples of which are used to express magnitudes of that physical quantity: the second is a unit of time

7.

the amount of a drug, vaccine, etc, needed to produce a particular effect

8.

a standard measure used in calculating alcohol intake and its effect

9.

(maths)

(usually pl) the first position in a place-value counting system, representing a single-digit number: in the decimal system the number 27 has 7 units and 2 tens

unit

n.

1560s, "single number regarded as an undivided whole," alteration of unity on the basis of digit. Popularized in John Dee's English translation of Euclid, to express Greek monas (Dee says unity formerly was used in this sense). Meaning "single thing regarded as a member of a group" is attested from 1640s. Extended sense of "a quantity adopted as a standard of measure" is from 1738. Sense of "group of wards in a hospital" is attested from 1893.